New boxing school scores a big hit (From Gazette Series)

New boxing school scores a big hit

BARELY one month after opening its doors for the first time, the new Bristol Boxing Academy has already scored a hit in both national and regional boxing.

The South West's newest sporting institution, which is based at Filton College and has attracted fighters from across Gloucestershire, may have only just begun its first term but it already boasts 21 keen students.

Already the academy is home to one bronze junior Olympic champion, one professional featherweight, two national schoolboy champions as well as a National Clubs for Young People champion.

Among the hopefuls is student Danny Butler, the national wrestling champion of Great Britain for his age and weight and twice national semi-finalist in the schoolboy boxing championships.

Danny, 16 and from Frenchay, heard about the new academy while training and immediately wanted to join.

"I'm really enjoying being a part of the Boxing Academy and getting on the sports progression course," said Danny, whose ambition is to turn professional.

17-year-old Robert Boardman, from Burnham-On-Sea, took up boxing five years ago, training at the King Alfred Club in Somerset. Since then he has won the National Clubs for Young People title and is now taking the academy's sports progression course to help further his skills in the ring.

The academy's girls are just as ambitious. Teri-Dee Rubery, 16 and from Severn Beach, joined after taking up kick-boxing and martial arts. Boxing was next on her list and since joining the academy she has excelled in her first month of training.

"I'd like to take my boxing further, enter some competitions and hopefully be famous some day," she explains.

Rosie Allen, 17 and from Redland, always wanted to take up boxing but she never had the chance, until hearing about the new academy. "The boxing academy at Filton College has allowed me to take my ambitions further and study the sports progression course," she says. "I'm really excited about being one of the first girls to join the academy."

Directing the boxing academy is Dennis Stinchcombe MBE, who is a sound believer in girls boxing and a great enthusiast of the academy's powers.

He said: "I believe after listening to the girls that they've got the same aspirations as the young men. I want them to achieve as much and gain whatever they want - and with our support and backing I believe they can do it.

"This is only their first month but I'm already pleased with the students as they've all shown great enthusiasm and maturity. They've seen how hard the sport is and how demanding it will be. Their commitment so far has been outstanding with 100 per cent attendance from all our students. No-one has missed a single session!"

The students are now focusing on the National Association of Clubs for Young People event on October 30 which will be held at the Riverside Youth Project in Bristol.

This will be Gloucestershire boxing fans' first chance to see the academy's students in the ring.

L For more details of the Filton College Boxing Academy and all forthcoming events, contact Dennis Stinchcombe MBE, Director of Boxing, on 0117 955 2866 or e-mail dennismbe@riversideyp.org